WHEN the last couple left in a tower block refused to move the developers took radical action - sending them on holiday for a year!

In a property world-first, LPC Living paid for Christopher Brierley and his wife Kwok Hung to spend a year in a villa on the Algarve, while they refurbish five ex-council tower blocks in Blackley, north Manchester.

Despite the increasingly derelict state of the blocks, the Brierleys had exercised their right to buy their two-bedroom flat on the sixth floor and were refusing to move out. This posed a problem for LPC who could not start work until all the flats were empty.

LPC chairman Warren Smith said: "This is their home and we did not want them to have to sell-up, so we offered them a 12 month break in Europe. We are renting the villa until work on their apartment block is complete - then they will have to come back to Manchester."

One of the blocks has already been demolished and the remaining four are being renovated into 210 one and two-bed apartments and penthouses and 30 new townhouses.

And while they are away the Brierleys' own home will get a bit of a revamp with a new kitchen and bathroom, new doors and new windows. But Mr Smith said: "Their interior will remain as they left it - at their request."

So with the old blocks being transformed into the Lakeside development, the Brierleys have been enjoying the European sunshine after jetting out in June.

They have sent postcards back to project manager Simon Ashdown, who co-ordinated their move.

Christopher, a retired lecturer, said: "When they offered us the chance to move away while they renovated our block we laughed and said it had always been a dream of ours to go to the Algarve.

"We were shocked but delighted when they agreed to send us to Portugal. Our apartment in Lagos is fantastic with views of the sea, but we are looking forward to seeing the changes to our home."

And they will probably also be pleased to see how it has changed in value. A year ago it was worth around é20,000 but now the two-bed apartments are selling for é90,000.]]